If Russia is the 'Evil Boogeyman' many are claiming it to be, then scrap the oil deal and buy from the US instead. Merkel and the EU are being very dishonest and hypocritical on this. They're all for punishing Russia with sanctions, yet they try to get around them every chance they get. It's dirty-dealing for sure. So, if they wanna make amends, they should scrap this deal and buy from the US instead.
What, allow Trump to control them. They ain't as ******* stupid as you Trumpettes are.
What Trump is saying is actually "we pay xdollars to protect you from Russia so you should buy your gas from us, and not Russia."
The reason people like John Kelly roll their eyes is they spent a lifetime working with Nato, and have even seen family members die in wars, and the purpose of Nato has never been to create a closed economic market. THAT is what Puttin wants with his defense and economic alliances. Nato exists to protect free markets in which every player is free to follow the path they see in their self interest. And economic interdependence is a reason to avoid war. Our ulitimate goal is for Russia to join in free trade.